How Very Convenient
By Pejman Yousefzadeh Posted in Authoritarianism | Contra Tyrannum | Dictatorship | Tyranny | Vladimir Putin — Comments (2) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
Just yesterday, Vladimir Putin said that Dmitri Medvedev ought to succeed Putin to the Presidency.
Today, Medvedev showed that he can sing for his supper:
Russian President Vladimir Putin should become prime minister after stepping down next year, his chosen successor Dmitry Medvedev says.
Mr Putin named Mr Medvedev on Monday as his favourite for the presidency. Mr Putin's own popularity is likely to ensure he is elected, analysts say.
Mr Putin steps down in March but is expected to retain political influence.
That last paragraph is possibly the understatement of the year.
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How Very Convenient 2 Comments (0 topical, 2 editorial, 0 hidden) Post a comment »
It's been suggested that United Russia engaged in all that electoral fraud becuase they wanted to ensure not just control of the Duma, but to have enough votes to change the Constitution as they see fit.
The reason to do that that I immediately think of is to make a huge shift of power from the decree-wielding, strong Presidency of Yeltsin and Putin, to a strong Prime Ministership held by Putin.
A heinous farce indeed. But Convenience seems to be contagious. Take the imposition of the new EU Constitution, which is being smuggled into existence. France and Holland, as you recall, specifically rejected it in two referenda. But their governments are simply ignoring them. As for the other members of the EU, only Ireland will ask its people before signing on.
Ironically that Russia which holds tilted elections is one of more of the more democratic spots in Europe, which on the big questions doesn't hold any at all.
We really need to take a fresh look at who to partner with over there.